128 PLANTING 



and then in the spring the small trees can be planted with a 

 planting spike, etc. Birch should be used as nurses. 



On exposed land, when planting in pits, it will be advis- 

 able to place the trees in one corner of the pit : namely, in 

 that corner farthest away from the direction of the prevailing 

 wind. By this means, the stem of the tree will not make 

 such a big hole when it is swayed by the wind. 



Planting Frost Localities. This has already been largely 

 dealt with. It will often be advisable, where only a moder- 

 ately hardy species is decided upon, to plant large trees so 

 that they quickly get above the frost line. In the case of 

 broad-leaved trees which have been planted some years, and 

 which have become frost-bitten, excellent results will often 

 follow if such trees be cut over in the spring close to the 

 ground. 



Then, if in that spring late frosts be absent, the trees will 

 often grow 4 to 8 feet, and so rise above the frost line. 



In such localities, wherever there is an existing crop of 

 timber, it should never be clear cut. But a shelter-wood 

 should be left, and then at any rate half-hardy species may 

 be planted, if they will withstand the shade. 



It is necessary to be very suspicious of frosts occurring 

 on low lying moist land, or on clay soils. 



A most excellent way of establishing a crop in frost 

 localities is to plant pure Birch, and then to underplant them, 

 some 8 to 12 years later, with the species that it is desired to 

 grow ; but the latter must be able to withstand a little shade. 



Planting Shifting Sand, and Sand Dunes. The first step 

 to take, is to endeavour to bind the sand together, and to 

 prevent it from being constantly shifted from place to place. 



Screens of wattled hurdles should be erected on the wind- 

 ward side of the area to be planted. Against this a bank of 

 sand will quickly be formed ; then the hurdles must be raised 

 and the bank made higher. Thus, ultimately the land on 

 the leeward side will be sheltered from the wind and storms. 

 It is preferable to have two parallel rows of hurdles, near each 

 other, so that the sand is caught between them ; and thus a 

 wider bank is formed. 



